Tim Cook ‘Deeply Disappointed’ in Indiana Law Called Discriminatory

Apple CEO Tim Cook, the most prominent openly gay executive, assailed a new Indiana law that critics say could make it legal for businesses there to discriminate against gays and lesbians. But he stopped short of saying his company would boycott the state as some of his peers have.

“Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana’s new law,” Cook said on Friday on Twitter account.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed into a law the so-called “Religious Freedom” bill on Thursday, making his state the first to enact such a law among the dozen or so states where such proposals have been introduced.

The bill prohibits local governments from “substantially burdening” any person’s free expression of religion. Opponents claim the law could give business owners a free pass to refuse service to customers whose values conflict with theirs, notably same-sex couples. Supporters, however, claim such laws shield…